Why Does Religion

WHY does religion, which universally is expected to have positive, healing effects, so frequently become destructive, misanthropic and inhumane?

More than 85% of Namibians claim an affiliation to Christianity, which leads to the assumption that this would generate a particularly strong moral, altruistic society.

Unfortunately, this masks the reality that we are, in fact, experiencing an alarming moral crisis. Religion, rather than creating a robust, ethical social fabric, appears to be failing dismally.

We read of self-styled leaders, accorded near-divine status, urging their followers to participate in activities seemingly inimical to their wellbeing.

These followers blindly trust some pastors’ preposterous claims of miracles, such as raising the dead and deliverance from evil.

They buy “holy oil” guaranteed to cure all manner of diseases (especially HIV). These are dangerous untruths and give rise to fear and superstition. One must feel sympathy for so many desperate, demoralised people, who are experiencing such a sense of hopelessness about their life conditions that they turn to religion in an attempt to gain what they desire.

With fundamentalist Pentecostal and Zionist churches being on the rise in number, with thousands of adherents. They are also the fastest-growing religious groups in the country. Believers are drawn mostly from poor, dispossessed and semiliterate communities, where the authority of religious leaders is unquestioned.

Growing numbers indicate a compelling search for spiritual meaning for solutions to life’s myriad hardships. Central to Pentecostal beliefs is an emphasis on a personal relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.

Followers display the phenomena associated with the Spirit, as reportedly experienced by Jesus’s disciples at Pentecost, such as speaking in tongues, experiencing visions and miracles, especially of healing, and manifesting “signs and wonders”.

Pentecostalism teaches that an encounter with God brings profound transformation to an adherent’s life circumstances and includes the power to exorcise evil inflicted by demons, witchcraft and sorcery. Healing is regarded as a powerful gift and faith bestows good health and salvation from poverty.

The manifestation of God’s blessings in physical wellness and the acquisition of material wealth has resulted in the propagation of a “prosperity gospel”, with the church leaders sporting flashy clothes and owning luxury vehicles, and even private jets.

This is a serious claim, not to be dismissed as words reported “out of context”. Apart from the fact that Namibia is a secular constitutional democracy, this appears to be blatant misuse of religion, in effect offering bribes of religious rewards to those who support him.

Most religions venerate an omnipotent divinity, committed to the wellbeing of his creation, particularly humans. Most religions also believe humans are flawed, alienated from their divinely bestowed potential. The troubled, estranged self-searches for integration and healing, which is known as salvation.

Salvation fundamentally means deliverance from dysfunction and distress and leads to transformation and regeneration – a path to spiritual wholeness.

Do material riches such as luxurious houses, cars and clothing – emulating the avaricious, fatuous lives of film and sports stars – guarantee true happiness and the fulfilment of one’s human potential? Meaninglessness can exist in the midst of plenty.

Did Jesus exhort his disciples to seek material prosperity? The Gospels record him as having advocated just the opposite: Blessed are the merciful, the pure in heart, peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. Preachers, who accumulate huge wealth, indicating scant moral concern, are unable to offer rigorous ethical direction to their followers.

Pentecostal theology appears to provide little guidance in the face of moral evil and suffering, largely caused by the abuse of the freedom granted by an apparently munificent deity.

Instead it offers exorcism for apparent supernatural causes of distress, which is unlikely to stimulate ethical or social regeneration. Authentic religion offers guidance and support to strive for spiritual goodness, lifting the spirit beyond physical, material desires to promote universal wellbeing, cultivating altruism, compassion and succor for the suffering. Believers should be distinguished by their attempts to heal the world, championing social and economic justice, fostering tolerance and inclusivity, irrespective of cultural, racial, religious and sexual differences, and respecting all creation for the wellbeing of the entire planet, our wondrous home.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.